A26974:890
Of justification four disputations clearing and amicably defending the truth against the unnecessary oppositions…
Of justification four disputations clearing and amicably defending the truth against the unnecessary oppositions of divers learned and reverend brethren / by Richard Baxter ...
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1658
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
His second Argument is, [Because good works are the effects of Faith and Justification, and therefore cannot be the cause.] Answer 1. They are none of the cause at all. Its not well to intimate that we hold them the cause, as in despite of all our own denials. 2. They are not so much as Means or Antecedents of that part of Justification, of which they are the effect. The act of faith which you will exercise before your death, is as true a condition (or Instrument, if you will needs call it so) of your Justification as continued, as your first act of faith was of your Justification as begun. And yet that act of faith is but fruit of your first Justification, as well as Obedience is.
His second Argument is, [Because good works are the effects of Faith and Justification, and therefore cannot be the cause.] Answer 1. They are none of the cause at all. Its not well to intimate that we hold them the cause, as in despight of all our own denyals. 2. They are not so much as Means or Antecedents of that part of Justification, of which they are the effect. The act of faith which you will exercise before your death, is as true a condition (or Instrument, if you will needs call it so) of your Justification as continued, as your first act of faith was of your Justification as begun. And yet that act of faith is but fruit of your first Justification, as well as Obedience is.
His third Argument is, that [If Gospel Obedience, and good works do subordinately act with faith to the effecting of Justification, then the Justification which proceedeth from both, must be of a different kind and nature.] Answer 1. Neither faith nor work effect Justification. 2. Justification by Promise and Gift, and Justification by Sentence, Plea, &c. are much different. 3. But your consequence is nothing worth. For these are not causes, but conditions. And if they were, yet different causes may concur to the same effect, which never man before you denied, that I know of. Our case is, as if to a Rebel that hath forfeited Life and Estate, the King (upon a Ransom) grant him both, on condition that he thankfully accept them as the fruits of that gift and Ransom, and to hold them on condition, that he often do his Homage to the King, and return not to Rebellion. Doth the first acceptance here serve turn for continuance of what is first received,